Takapu Refuge Gannet Colony. New Zealand's northernmost mainland gannet colony, located on Otakamiro Point between Maori Bay and Muriwai Beach. The refuge was originally established in 1979. Offering clear views of the gannets in their natural habitat. Extremely windy!! I can't keep my cap on! The volcanic rocks of the beach also had blow holes which we had to time our walk to keep from being soaked!
Some data about gannets
- wingspan up to 180 cm
- overall length 90 cm
- a single egg is laid around September/October/November
- incubation time about 44 days
- chicks stay in the colony until February/March
- the birds then migrate to Australia, returning after 2-6 years
- it is said that (after weeks of furious flapping of wings on land) the first
flight of the juvenile birds takes them to their destination more than 2000 km
away.
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